Archived News
| Date | |
Meet & Greet New District LeadersJune 07, 2010
Wednesday,... June 9, 2010 Carleton Washburne School Foyer 6:30–8:00 P.M. Dr. Mark Friedman and Dr. Ken Cull Interim Superintendents Dr. Cathy Rosen Carleton Washburne School Principal Trisha Kocanda Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment  Read More | |
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment AppointedJune 03, 2010
Ms. Kocanda will be charged with leading ongoing development, improvement, and evaluation of the entire instructional program for the District, including key long-term initiatives such as the development of common assessments, improvements in differentiated instruction, and implementation of Response to Intervention practices. She will also coordinate ongoing teacher-led curriculum review cycles and conferencing/reporting evaluations, as well as coach and support building administrators in their roles as instructional leaders. Currently, Ms. Kocanda serves as the executive director for curriculum and instruction for elementary North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park, a position she has held since 2008. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of curriculum development across 12 elementary and middle schools. She also serves as the lead internal facilitator of District 112's strategic planning process, which involves 170 internal and community stakeholders. Previously, Ms. Kocanda served as District 112's learning coordinator for curriculum and instruction, as well as associate principal of Edgewood Middle School. A former middle school classroom teacher in Arlington Heights District 25, she earned a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University. In addition, she has been accepted in a doctoral program for educational leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ms. Kocanda's appointment by the Board follows a multiple-step interview process coordinated by Dr. Mark Friedman that involved the participation of teams of administrators, teachers, and other staff, as well as the screening of more than 80 applicants for the position. References characterized Ms. Kocanda as "an exemplary educator" who "astutely recognizes how to bring people together to lead curriculum development across multiple schools" and a "relationship-oriented leader who collaborates with people by listening and asking questions to gain deeper understanding." The School Board welcomes Ms. Kocanda to The Winnetka Public Schools. We invite parents and the Winnetka community to meet her, newly appointed Carleton Washburne School Principal Dr. Cathy Rosen, and 2010-11 Co-Interim Superintendents Dr. Kenneth Cull and Dr. Mark Friedman, at a reception to be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road, from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. Read More | |
“Little Learners” Preschool Program AnnouncedMay 22, 2010
Greeley School Winnetka, IL Begins September 2010, Monday-Friday 8:45-11:15 a.m. (a 3-day/week transition option is also available) This program is open to families who reside in Winnetka and surrounding area. Priority enrollment for Winnetka District 36 students. The cost is $3,300.00. Program Description This integrated preschool program is designed to support children’s social, language, cognitive/pre-academic, and motor development. Research has shown that shared learning experiences have positive effects for both children with and without special needs. The program is based on best practices in early childhood education. The classroom will use the Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers which is a developmentally appropriate curriculum that targets 50 goals for all young learners in the areas of social-emotional, cognitive, language, and motor development. Children have opportunities for teacher-directed learning and self-directed exploration/play at 11 Interest Areas: Blocks, Dramatic Play, Toys and Games, Art, Library Discovery, Sand and Water, Music and Movement, Cooking, Computers and Outdoors. Program Features - Preschool staff has specialized knowledge of child development - High Adult : Child ratio (expected to be 3 : 1) - Certified Early Childhood Teacher - A classroom assistant - Special Education supports for children with special needs, including: - Speech/Language therapy - Occupational Therapy - Physical Therapy - School Psychologist consultation Contact Mark Ditthardt, Director of Pupil Services, The Winnetka Pubic Schools 847-446-9400 ext 2622 markditthardt@winnetka36.org Read More | |
Important Calendar Dates for 2010-2011April 28, 2010
August 30 - Monday No School (Teachersʼ Institute Day) August... 31 - Tuesday No School (Teachersʼ Institute Day) September 1 - Wednesday Schools open (Grades 1-8) (Half Day) Please check with individual buildings to confirm Kindergarten and Grade 1 Phase-In schedules. September 2 - Thursday Schools open (Grades SK-8) (Full Day) September 6 - Monday No School (Labor Day) September 7 - Tuesday Junior Kindergarten begins September 9 - Thursday No School October 8 - Friday Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) (Institute Day in PM) NO SCHOOL for PM Kindergarten students ONLY October 11 - Monday No School (Columbus Day) October 22 - Friday Kindergarten Conference/Reporting Day All Kindergarten students in attendance November 4 - Thursday Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Conference/Reporting in PM No School for AM Kindergarten students PM KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND IN AM November 5 - Friday Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) November 24 - 26 - Wednesday - Friday No School (Thanksgiving Holiday) December 20 - Monday Winter Vacation Begins (no School) January 3 - Monday Schools Reopen January 17 - Monday No School (Martin Luther King Day) February 21 - Monday No School (Presidentsʼ Day) March 10 - Thursday Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) March 11 - Friday Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) March 18 - Friday Kindergarten Conference/Reporting Day in PM All Kindergarten students in attendance March 28 - Monday Spring Vacation begins April 4 - Monday Schools Reopen April 22 - Friday No School May 27 - Friday Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Report Writing in PM NO KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE May 30 - Monday No School (Memorial Day) June 10 - Friday Anticipated Last Day of School (Grades 1-8) June 13, 14, 15, 16 To be used in the event of emergency closing Kindergarten Conferences/Report writing will occur on 10/22/10 [All Kindergarten students in attendance] 11/4/10 PM [PM students attend in AM; No School for AM Kindergarten], 11/5/10 [No school for all Kindergarten students], 3/10/11 and 3/11/11 all day [No Kindergarten students in attendance either day], 3/18/11-PM [All Kindergarten students in attendance] and 5/27/11- All day [No school for all Kindergarten students]. Grades 1-6 Conferences/Reporting Days will occur on 11/4/10 PM [students attend in AM only], 11/5/10 All Day [no student attendance], 3/10/11 and 3/11/11 All Day [no student attendance either day], and 5/27/11 PM [students attend in AM only]. Washburne Conferences/Reporting Periods: October 4, 2010 – October 15, 2010 and February 14, 2011 – February 25, 2011. Students in attendance during these times. Download: Important Calendar Dates for 2010-2011 (Revised) (PDF) Read More | |
Join Us for a Special Presentation by Dr. Thomas Armstrong Monday, April 26April 21, 2010
Dr. Armstrong is an award-winning author and speaker with over thirty years of teaching experience from the primary through the doctoral level. There are one million copies of his books in print on issues related to learning and human development including The Human Odyssey: Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life, The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, In Their Own Way, Awakening Your Child's Natural Genius, 7 Kinds of Smart, The Myth of the A.D.D. Child, ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom, and Awakening Genius in the Classroom. His books have been translated into twenty-four languages. He has been published in over thirty periodicals, journals, and edited books and has appeared on television and radio programs, including The Today Show, CBS This Morning, CNN, the BBC, and The Voice of America. Articles featuring his work have appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Investor's Business Daily, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of other newspapers and magazines around the country. He has received awards from the Educational Press Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. We look forward to seeing you Monday! Read More | |
School Board Action Items for April 12, 2010April 09, 2010
INTERIM CO-SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTMENT The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board will take action to consider the appointment of former Itasca District 10 Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Cull to serve as interim co-superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year. After his retirement from District 10 in June 2008, Cull served as interim superintendent of Skokie/Morton Grove School District 69 during the 2008-2010 school years. He has more than 40 years of experience as an educator, including 30 years with Schaumburg School District 54, where he started as a junior high math teacher and advanced to associate superintendent. Cull began his career at Joliet School District 86. Cull will serve in tandem with former Libertyville Superintendent Dr. Mark Friedman, who was appointed by the Board to serve as co-interim superintendent at the March 23 Board meeting. This interim co-superintendent model will be utilized because Illinois pension laws limit the employment of retirees from the Teachers Retirement System in a public education position, such as Drs. Friedman and Cull, to 120 days or 600 hours per academic year. The interim co-superintendent model is not uncommon and provides the ability to leverage the skills of experienced educational administrators, while also building a transition team that possesses the specific skill sets needed by our District. In the past several years, it has been used successfully to facilitate transition in Mundelein High School District 120 and Glenbard High School District 87. North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113 also recently utilized a co-principal model. Following Board approval and after directing the District’s legal counsel to finalize our contract with Dr. Cull, we will move forward to develop a specific plan of action to guide how Drs. Friedman and Cull will work together and provide strong leadership to advance both the academic and administrative priorities of the District. We expect to share further information on their specific roles and responsibilities at our April 27th meeting. SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROCESS Dr. Friedman has been tasked with providing leadership for the District’s process to hire a new permanent superintendent. He will provide a comprehensive update regarding this process at the Board’s April 27 meeting, which will be held at 7:15 P.M. at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road, Winnetka. CLOSING THOUGHTS We feel confident that we will have a strong and complementary leadership team with Drs. Friedman and Cull. The Board and Administration will continue to work together to ensure minimal disruption to District and school operations as we transition to new leadership. Respectfully, The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board Nancy Fehrenbach Jon Kaplan Peter Kane Susan Whitcomb Anne Kelly Dana Crumley Beth Moritz Filip April 9, 2010 Read More | |
Board Communications Page Updated April 9, 2010April 09, 2010
A new update is available in a question-and-answer format that responds specifically to inquiries related to the actions and responsibilities of the School Board. Please visit the Board Communications page at http://www.winnetka36.org/board/communications Read More | |
Dental Requirements for Students Entering Grade 2 in 2010-2011April 06, 2010
All dental forms must be dated after September 1, 2009 and are requested on the first day of school. Be sure to make an appointment with your child’s dentist in time to meet this deadline. A copy of the form can be found here: Proof of School Dental Examination Form (PDF) (On the District website, select “Departments” and then “Nurses,” then choose “Health Forms” on the left side of the page.) Please direct any questions you may have to your child’s school health office as follows: Crow Island Health Office: 847-446-1048; Fax: 847-446-9021 Greeley Health Office: 847-446-2638; Fax: 847-501-5737 Hubbard Woods Health Office: 847-446-1062; Fax: 847-501-6124 *The following exemptions apply: Medical objection: A statement from the M.D., D.O., A.P.N. or P.A. indicating that an immunization is “medically contraindicated” is acceptable and will be attached to the student’s physical exam form in lieu of the vaccination. In case of disease outbreak, the student must be excluded from school. Should the condition of the child later permit immunization, the requirement will then have to be met. Religious exemption: This requires the filing of a signed statement explaining the objections to physical exam, health screenings, and/or immunizations on religious grounds. General philosophical or moral reluctance will not provide a sufficient basis for exemption. In case of disease outbreak, the student must be excluded from school. April 2010 Read More | |
Dental and Health Requirements for Students Entering Grade 6 in 2010-2011April 06, 2010
Certificate of Child Health Examination Form... (PDF) Proof of Dental Examination Form (PDF) These forms can be downloaded by clicking the links above. Both of the above medical and dental forms are due on the first day of school and must be dated after September 1, 2009. *Please note: “Unless the student is homeless, failure to comply with the above requirements by the start of school in the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District...” First-time registrants have 30 days to comply from their date of registration. The basis for these requirements can be found in The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 policy as of June 24, 2008. If you have questions, please contact: The Skokie School Health Office, Marianne Siegel, RN, at 847-441-2194; Fax 847-441-2193 Resources: Appointment with your physician (bring copy of immunization records to your appointment). - Cook County Department of Public Health: 847-818-2860. Immunization clinics serve children who are on Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured, Native American or Alaskan Indian. - TakeCare Health Clinic: Walgreen’s, Willow Road, Northfield. 866-825-3227 http://www.takecarehealth.com - Minute Clinic: CVS Pharmacy, Central Street, Evanston. 866-389-2727 http://www.minuteclinic.com Please make your appointment now and return your completed forms before the end of this school year. *The following exemptions apply: Medical objection - a statement from the MD, DO, APN or PA indicating that an immunization is “medically contraindicated” is acceptable and will be attached to the student’s physical exam form in lieu of the vaccination. In case of disease outbreak, the student must be excluded from school. Should the condition of the child later permit immunization, the requirement will then have to be met. Religious Exemption - requires the filing of a signed statement explaining the objections to physical exam, health screenings, and/or immunizations on religious grounds. General philosophical or moral reluctance will not provide a sufficient basis for exemption. In case of disease outbreak, the student must be excluded from school. Department of Public Health Immunization requirements http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/k12sir.htm April 2010 Read More | |
School Board Comments Regarding Leadership and Transition Issues at March 23, 2010 MeetingMarch 19, 2010
We realize many of you have questions and/or comments you'd like to make to the Board about various issues related to our leadership transition. Let me try to answer some of the questions up front. Interim Superintendent Appointment and Superintendent Search Process Dr. Herrmann's Retirement Crow Island School Interim Principal Announcement And Curriculum Director Search Carleton Washburne School Principal Search Status 3-23-10 Agenda by Nancy Fehrenbach, Board President, on March 23, 2010 This School Board meeting can be viewed in its entirety on the School Board Meeting Podcasts page: http://web.winnetka36.org/schoolboard/meetings Read More | |
Board Communications Page AddedMarch 13, 2010
The feature is called Board Communications and the page can be accessed under the School Board menu in the green bar across the top of the District site. Click to visit and/or bookmark the page at its web address: http://www.winnetka36.org/board/communications Read More | |
Superintendent to Submit Resignation; Board Consultant to Lead TransitionMarch 08, 2010
“On behalf of the entire Winnetka Public Schools community, I want to thank Dr. Herrmann for her service to the District during the past two‐and‐a‐half years, including her leadership in key areas such as effective personnel processes, institution of common planning time for teachers, and initial strategic planning engagement with the community,” said Nancy Fehrenbach, president of the Winnetka Public Schools District 36 Board of Education. “We wish Mary every success in her new position.” Herrmann expressed pride in her association with this District; “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you. You are bright, talented, passionate people who care deeply about our students and serve them well,” said Herrmann in a letter shared with staff. “I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to share a small part of my professional journey with you. I have learned extensively from you and with you, and I will continue to work alongside you as we bring closure to the 2009-2010 school year.” Fehrenbach announced that former Libertyville School District 70 superintendent Dr. Mark Friedman, who joined The Winnetka Public Schools in January 2010 as a special projects consultant, has been charged with assisting the School Board in developing a solid leadership transition plan moving forward. “While Dr. Friedman was originally hired to provide additional administrative support to assist in the implementation of key initiatives, including teacher supervision and development, differentiated classroom practices, and principal coaching, we are very fortunate to be able to rely on his expertise and leadership to ensure that we maintain our focus on quality education and operational excellence throughout this transition,” said Fehrenbach. “We are committed to developing and implementing a superintendent search process that is inclusive, transparent, and well planned. We will have more to report to the community on this effort as well as our plans for interim District leadership at our March 23 Board meeting,” continued Fehrenbach. In the meantime, the Board plans to meet this Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 P.M. in the Carleton Washburne School Resource Center, 515 Hibbard Road, to discuss transition planning and other ongoing matters. Finally, throughout the upcoming superintendent search process, the Board will provide regular status updates and information on opportunities for public input through public, parent, and staff communications, including the District website, newsletters, and the media. The regular monthly meeting of The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board will be held on March 23 at 7:15 P.M. at The Skokie School, 520 Glendale Avenue. Read More | |
Preschool ScreeningMarch 01, 2010
If you are a Winnetka resident and have... concerns about your child’s development in the areas of speech, language, coordination, hearing, vision, learning readiness, or emotional maturity, you are encouraged to register your child for this screening. To be eligible, children’s birthdays must fall between April 1, 2005 and April 1, 2007. It is not mandatory to bring your child/children with you to the registration, nor is it mandatory to have the screening done for entrance to pre-school or kindergarten. Parents will register at the Winnetka Public Schools Administration Office located at 1235 Oak Street, Winnetka in the Superintendent’s Conference Room on one of the following dates and times: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At registration, parents will be given separate appointment times for hearing, vision and the general screening. Registration will take approximately 30 minutes. Bring “Baby Milestone Books” as they may be helpful when completing the questionnaire for developmental dates (example: crawling, walking, talking, etc.). Please note: The vision and hearing screenings will take place March 22 and March 23. April 5, 6, 7, and 8 are the dates the Pupil Services staff of the Winnetka Public Schools will be available to provide a general assessment of three and four year old children’s development in fine and gross motor coordination, concepts, and language. The intent of the screening is to identify children who may have delays in their development. Please call Mark Ditthardt, Department of Pupil Services at 847-446-9400, ext. 2622 if you have any further questions. Read More | |
Two New Winnetka Parents Institute Podcasts AvailableFebruary 22, 2010
Evaluation and... Communication of Student Progress - Grades Kindergarten through Eight. February 16, 2010. Presenters include Julie Pfeffer, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and teachers and administrators from throughout the District: Katerina Jaksic (Greeley School), Stacey Wellman (Greeley School), Jean Nadick (Crow Island School), Jason Scheetz (Hubbard Woods School), Maureen Cheever (Hubbard Woods School), Jen Buhler (The Skokie School), Anna Ladik (Carleton Washburne School). This podcast is available at: Evaluation and Communication of Student Progress Winnetka Parents Institute presents: Differentiation in Winnetka - Session 1. January 20, 2010. Presenters include Julie Pfeffer, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and teachers from throughout the District: Jean Bierner (Carleton Washburne School and Hubbard Woods School), Lora Gettleman (The Skokie School), Betsy Steele (Crow Island School), Peggy Bourke (Crow Island School), Eileen Goodspeed (District), Charlotte Murphy (District), Libby Jones (The Skokie School), Jen Fiegen (Crow Island School). This podcast is available at: Differentiation in Winnetka - Session 1 The Winnetka Public Schools podcast is available at: http://web.winnetka36.org/district/podcast This podcast can be accessed any time from this address or found on the District homepage under the District menu. Check the page for updates or subscribe to this podcast using a podcatcher such as iTunes using the Subscribe button on the District Podcast home page. Read More | |
Deborah Meier Video Podcast AvailableFebruary 11, 2010
This presentation is now available on the District Podcast page at http://web.winnetka36.org/district/podcast Read More | |
After School Activities Cancelled 2-9-10February 09, 2010
Please check this site for updated information related to... any additional cancellations or late starts. Thank you. Mary Herrmann Superintendent Read More | |
Second Annual Learn-A-ThonFebruary 02, 2010
This great family event is an excellent way to have fun, enjoy some snacks, and learn more about District 36 innovative learning opportunities funded by our Foundation. In addition to great conversation and interactive fun, there will be an opportunity to learn tips for navigating our new District 36 website. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday! Read More | |
Winnetka Public Schools 150th Anniversary Lecture SeriesFebruary 02, 2010
Deborah Meier, Educator, Author, Professor of Education ...- New York University Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:30 p.m, Washburne Little Theatre As The Winnetka Public Schools celebrates our 150th year, leading educator Deborah W. Meier will discuss essential questions for our schools through the lens of progressive educational practice. What is the purpose of education? How do we know what our students are learning? How do parents, educators and the community come together to most effectively support our children? Meier has successfully implemented school reform based on progressive ideals. Beginning her career as a teacher in Chicago Public Schools in 1961, she founded and served as teacher-director for a network of highly successful public schools in New York City in the 1970s and 80s, followed by the establishment of a K-8 pilot for the Boston Public Schools in the 1990s. This is a “must-go” event for parents and community members interested in the future of our public schools. Read More | |
Welcome to the New www.winnetka 36.org!January 30, 2010
The main content area on the District homepage and the homepages of each school presents current news headlines from the District and schools. News headline links are also available in the right column of each page on the site. The District and school homepages also allow users to subscribe to the news feeds using news readers or RSS news aggregators. A video tutorial about RSS news feeds is available at www.winnetka36.org/communications (Departments > Communications). The navigation for the site is found across the top of each page in a green bar with drop-down menus. On the District site you can access each school site, find information about the School District, District departments (Business Office, Communication, Curriculum, Human Resources, Nurses, Pupil Services, Technology), the School Board, general information for parents and staff, and an Employment link. School pages feature information about the school, a calendar link, pages about classes, general information for students and parents, an overview of the school's support services, and links to Resource Center services. The refreshed District calendar system now features a color-coded layout that displays additional information for each calendar entry when a user "mouses over" an event. The calendar can also be "filtered" by a user so, for example, a parent can see a customized view of events for only the school or schools they select. Further, parents who use online calendars or web-connected calendar applications can subscribe to District calendars and receive updated information automatically in their own calendar system. A video tutorial about subscribing to calendars is available at www.winnetka36.org/communications (Departments > Communications). The site was also designed with web-connected smart phones in mind. Smart phones with news readers can take advantage of news feed subscriptions and web-connected mobile calendars can use calendar subscriptions. Pages display well on iPhone, iPod touch, Android phones, Blackberry touch phones, and other touch-screen-based phones. iPhone and iPod touch users can add a customized icon directly on their home screen for one-touch access to the site; a video tutorial about this feature is available at www.winnetka36.org/communications (Departments > Communications). In addition, a site-wide Search feature has been added across the site to help website visitors find information quickly and efficiently. The site was designed in-house with input from many members of our Community of Learners. Val Falstad, our Website and Database Developer, has been responsible for programming, customizing, and implementing the features of the site while Matt Fuller, Director of Technology and Communication, has coordinated the project and worked with the content. The School Board Communications Committee, comprised of Beth Filip, Anne Kelly, and Superintendent Mary Herrmann, led the implementation of this project and provided valuable input and direction during the planning and design phases. District administrators have provided and continue to provide content for each section of the site. Finally, the entire staff of The Winnetka Public Schools was invited to preview the site and provide input, feature requests, and ideas. Thank you for visiting the new www.winnetka36.org and please feel free to contact us with your thoughts and requests! Email us at webmaster36@winnetka36.org. Read More | |
WPI Presents: Differentiation in Winnetka - Session IJanuary 26, 2010
This first session in a series of presentations on the topic will share the current framework and give an explanation of structures that are already in place that help us meet the needs of diverse learners. Attendees will engage in hands-on experiences in math, science, and literacy that help illustrate what differentiation looks like in a classroom setting. Presenters will include Dr. Julie Pfeffer, Director of Curriculum, District 36 math facilitators, math lab teachers, literacy facilitators, and science facilitators. Read More | |
Tutoring Task Force Volunteers NeededJanuary 07, 2010
To address the threshold issue of liability, the Board consulted with both legal counsel and its insurance representative in December 2009. Their opinion found that there is “significant risk” of liability for both teachers individually and the School District as an entity if the practices of private tutoring and private music lessons are continued in our school buildings. Moreover, neither the District’s insurance coverage nor the statutory provisions which normally protect teachers and schools from liability of this nature, are applicable to this practice. Given this advice, the Board determined that it was in the best interest of all constituents to suspend all tutoring and music lessons, which currently take place in the public schools as of December 19, 2009. The Board recognizes, however, that private tutoring is a long-standing practice in the community, and is considered by some parents to be a valuable part of their children’s education. It also recognizes that other parents do not hold this view, and have no desire to incorporate private tutoring into their children’s elementary education experience. The Board believes it is possible to create a policy that will (1) be respectful of all viewpoints regarding private tutoring; (2) align with the District’s child-centered, progressive education philosophy; and (3) protect teachers, the District, and taxpayers from liability. To that end, it is creating a Tutoring Policy Task Force to continue the examination of tutoring practices in our school community, with the end goal of creating a comprehensive policy on private tutoring. While it is not feasible or necessary to create such a vehicle to review the majority of District policies, the Board believes this type of review is necessary given the myriad of issues surrounding private tutoring, and the impact these issues have on students, parents and teachers. The Task Force will be comprised of Dr. Herrmann, Superintendent; Dana Crumley and Susan Whitcomb, Board of Education Members; five teachers representing each of the District Schools; and volunteers from the community. The Board has set criteria for volunteers, which can be accessed at www.winnetka36.org. Participants should be available to attend 4-6 meetings from January-May 2010, and be willing to spend 6-10 hours reviewing supplementary materials (educational research articles, sample policies, etc.) during the same time frame. We strongly encourage all interested community members to apply. January 5, 2010 Read More | |
Calendar Details for the 2010-2011 School YearJanuary 07, 2010
Teacher Institute Days: Monday August 30, Tuesday August 31 First Student Attendance Day: Wednesday September 1 Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday November 24 – Friday November 26 Winter Break: December 18 – January 2 (School resumes Monday January 3) Spring Break: March 26 – April 3 (School resumes Monday April 4) 12-15-09 Read More | |
Update on School Closings and Late Start ProceduresJanuary 07, 2010
The highest priority in considering school closure is student safety. Some of the factors that influence our decision-making include: timing and duration of the storm, temperatures, visibility, facility concerns, and road conditions both locally and in the larger metro area. Our teachers are traveling from all directions and, for some, long distances, and it is essential that they are able to arrive to school on time to greet children in their classrooms. Only under the most hazardous circumstances will we close school. We strive to keep our students in school and follow our school calendar. In order to do so, we all need to work together, taking extra caution in traveling to and from school and ensuring that our students are dressed warmly. At the same time, we recognize that individual families may have varying degrees of comfort regarding the decision to keep schools open. Under these circumstances, parents should always feel empowered to do what they believe is best for their child. In the occasional winter storm, the weather and road conditions are expected to greatly improve by mid-morning. Under these circumstances we would prefer not to close school, but to open late instead. A late start would allow for additional time for our staff and students to get to school. Please note the following procedures for a 2-hour late start in The Winnetka Public Schools: Parents/students will be notified through our emergency message system of a late start. Information will also be included on our website. Please contact your building principal if you have questions. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. December 8, 2009 Read More | |
Update to Open Board PositionJanuary 07, 2010
Laura... Henzlik Matthew Hulsizer Peter Kane William Kucera Melissa Mizel Tom Shannon Rosemary Swierk Christine Walker Mary B. Herrmann Superintendent December 2, 2009 Read More | |
New Board Position Opening Application MaterialsJanuary 07, 2010
If however you prefer to nominate someone other than yourself, please forward that person?s name and contact information to Nancy Fehrenbach at nancyfehrenbach@winnetka36.org. That information will then be forwarded to someone outside the board to contact him or her. All suggested persons will be contacted, no screening will be done at this point. In addition to the application we have provided some materials to help any prospective candidate. Below you will find the Board Code of Conduct, the Foundation Principles of Effective Governance, Board Policy 2:130 Board Superintendent Relationship, a list of ideal new Board member qualities from the current Board, and a Winnetka Public Boards Communication Meeting of March 14, 2009 list of ideal Board member qualities. Board deliberations and decision-making benefit from members who reflect the composition of the community. At present, candidates without children currently enrolled in District 36 schools may add another important perspective to this Board. Thank you for your interest in The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board. Downloads: District 36 Board Candidate Application (PDF) District 36 School Board Candidate Application (Word) Board Code of Conduct (PDF) Foundation Principles of Effective Governance (PDF) Board Policy 2:130 - Board Superintendent Relationship (PDF) Ideal new Board member qualities (PDF) Winnetka Public Board Communication Meeting of March 14, 2009 list of ideal Board member qualities (PDF) Read More | |
Board Welcomes Newest MemberJanuary 07, 2010
With the addition of Kane, Board President Nancy Fehrenbach will be reviewing individual committee assignments/responsibilities and making appropriate shifts to make full use of members’ expertise in serving the educational needs of the children, staff, and community. Read More | |
H1N1 Update 5-27-09November 05, 2009
this time we have had nine cases of the influenza virus,... two at Carleton Washburne School, three at The Skokie School, three at Crow Island School and one at Hubbard Woods School. We have had two confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, one at Carleton Washburne School and one at Crow Island School. We are communicating often with the Cook County Department of Public Health regarding our schools’ situations. Our school health offices are monitoring all student symptoms of illness on a daily basis. In each situation of influenza the affected person is excluded from school for 7 days until all symptoms are resolved and the person has experienced 24 hours of wellness. This is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu guidelines, the Illinois Public Health Department, and the Cook County Department of Public Health. Please keep your child home from school and extracurricular activities when feeling ill with symptoms such as a fever over 100 degrees, a cough, and/or a sore throat. We ask that you report the symptoms to the school as soon as possible. At this time proper hygiene is extremely important. Information can be obtained at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu www.idph.state.il.us www.cookcountypublichealth.org or call 708-492-2000 If you have questions please contact us. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. District-wide School Nurse Read More | |
H1N1 Update 5-26-09November 05, 2009
information regarding the status of the influenza in our District.... We have had two confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, one at Carleton Washburne and one at Crow Island School. In addition we have had six cases of the influenza virus, one at Carleton Washburne School, two at The Skokie School, two at Crow Island School, and one at Hubbard Woods School. We continue to communicate with the Cook County Department of Public Health. Our schools will remain open unless there is a significant increase in student absences, which there has not been. Our school health offices are closely monitoring this situation. In each situation the affected person is excluded from school for seven days until all symptoms are resolved and the person has experienced 24 hours of wellness prior to returning. In addition, our maintenance staff does an extra deep cleaning in those particular classroom areas. We remind you again to keep your child home from school and extracurricular activities when feeling ill such as a fever over 100 degrees, a cough, and/or a sore throat. Also we ask that you please report the symptoms to the school as soon as possible. Proper hygiene is extremely important. For more information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu www.idph.state.il.us www.cookcountypublichealth.org or call 708-492-2000 If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. District-wide School Nurse Read More | |
List of Applicants for Open Board of Education PositionNovember 05, 2009
Education of Winnetka School District 36: ... Bridget Albertson Fred Belmont Peter Kane Jon Kaplan William Kucera Anne Wedner Mary B. Herrmann Superintendent June 2, 2009 Read More | |
H1N1 Update 5-13-09November 05, 2009
District. We have had two confirmed cases of the H1N1... virus, one at Carleton Washburne School and one at Crow Island School. In addition, we have had two cases of influenza, one at The Skokie School and one at Crow Island School. When children exhibit these conditions they are excluded from school for seven days or until symptoms are resolved with 24 hours of wellness prior to returning to school. As we have shared in previous correspondence, the recommendation of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is that schools remain open unless there is a significant increase in student absence due to illness. Daily attendance is being closely monitored in all our schools and at this point there has not been an increase in absenteeism. We want to remind you to keep your children home from school and extracurricular events when the children are feeling ill, such as fever over 100 degrees, cough, and/or sore throat. We also ask that you please report the symptoms to the school as soon as possible. For your convenience we have included the following websites you may reference for further information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu www.idph.state.il.us www.cookcountypublichealth.org or call 708-492-2000 Please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. District-Wide School Nurse Read More | |
H1N1 Update 5-12-09November 05, 2009
Our nursing staff and administrators are communicating frequently and monitoring the situation with our New Trier Township colleagues, the Cook County Health Department, and the Illinois Department of Public Health. At this time, we are asking for your assistance in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Please keep your child at home if he or she develops any flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, chills, sore throat, body aches, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If there is a fever he or she must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. What You Can Do to Stay Healthy: Our teachers will continue to discuss cleanliness and hygiene habits with our students and we ask that you do the same at home. It is important that students develop good healthy habits to reduce the spread of various diseases. Our maintenance staff has been asked to take special care in their cleaning of all classrooms, doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom areas. We will continue to keep you informed and monitor our attendance. For more information visit the CDC website for updates: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu Mary B. Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. Certified School Nurse Read More | |
New Board Position Opening - Application MaterialsNovember 05, 2009
In addition to the application we have provided some materials to help any prospective candidate. Below you will find the Board Code of Conduct, the Foundation Principles of Effective Governance, and a list of criteria for becoming an effective Board member. We have also listed a very interesting report from 1939 that lists the qualifications of the Ideal Board Member! Thank you for your interest in the Winnetka Public School District 36 Board of Education. Board Member Criteria (PDF) Qualification of an Ideal Board Member - 1939 (PDF) Board Code of Conduct (from IASB website) (PDF) Foundational Principles of Effective Governance (from IASB website) (PDF) District 36 Board Candidate Application (PDF) District 36 Board Candidate Application (Word) Read More | |
H1N1 8-24-09November 05, 2009
Here are some practical steps that we can all take to make this a healthy school year: At school, our teachers will encourage frequent hand washing and remind the student to cover his or her mouth if coughing or sneezing. Our maintenance staff will continue to take special care in their cleaning of all classrooms, doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, hand railings and bathroom areas. Hand sanitizer will be available at each sign-in desk area. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the health office. We will continue to monitor information regarding H1N1 by working closely with the Cook County Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and share any updated information regarding guidelines or vaccine availability. You can find additional information regarding H1N1 at the following websites: Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov Illinois Department of Public Health: www.idph.state.il.us Have a healthy school year! Sincerely, Mary Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. District-Wide School Nurse Read More | |
Information for Parents Regarding Swine FluNovember 05, 2009
Our nursing staff and administrators are communicating frequently and monitoring the situation with our New Trier Township colleagues, the Cook County Health Department, and the Illinois Department of Public Health. At this time, we are asking for your assistance in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Please keep your child at home if he or she develops any flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, chills, sore throat, body aches, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If there is a fever he or she must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. What You Can Do to Stay Healthy: Our teachers will continue to discuss cleanliness and hygiene habits with our students and we ask that you do the same at home. It is important that students develop good healthy habits to reduce the spread of various diseases. Our maintenance staff has been asked to take special care in their cleaning of all classrooms, doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom areas. In the event that a flu outbreak occurs, we will continue to keep you informed. We want everyone to be well and healthy. For more information visit the CDC website for updates: www.cdc.gov/swineflu Mary B. Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. Certified School Nurse Read More | |
H1N1 Update 11-4-09November 04, 2009
information on its website (www.cookcountypublichealth.org...): Starting November 2, 2009, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) will open regional appointment-only vaccination sites in suburban Cook County. Shipment of the vaccine has been slower than anticipated; as more vaccine is received additional vaccination clinics will be opening. Effective immediately, and until further notice, residents may call 708-836-8600 or one of the CCDPH District Offices listed below to make an appointment at one of our vaccination sites. CCDPH staff will schedule the appointment time and location for residents. Cook County Department of Public Health Offices: North District: 847-818-2860 TDD 847-818-2023 Southwest District 708-974-6160 TDD: 708-974-6043 West District: 708-786-4000 TDD: 708-786-4002 South District: 708-210-4500 TDD: 708-210-4010 If you are interested in having your child vaccinated against H1N1, you may wish to contact one of the above numbers to schedule an appointment directly with CCDPH. However, we have been told that the next available appointment isn't until the end of November and that wait times when calling have been lengthy. The New Trier Township School Districts are working with the Cook County Department of Public Health to establish an immunization site within the Township. However, at this time we have not received any information from the County with regard to specific dates. As a reminder, students and staff are strongly encouraged to stay home if sick, especially with a fever of 100 degrees or greater, and stay home for 24 hours after being fever-free without the aid of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil. Prevention is the most effective way of slowing the spread of this disease. We encourage you to practice the three C's: Clean - Frequently wash hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available. Cover - Cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, avoid touching one's eyes, nose or mouth, and wash hands especially after coughing or sneezing. Contain - If sick, distance yourself from others. Stay home and get well. Your health care provider is the best source of information regarding your family's personal health needs and influenza vaccinations. We urge you to contact your family physician to discuss immunizing your family for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. You can find additional information regarding H1N1 at the following websites: Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov Illinois Department of Public Health: www.idph.state.il.us Cook County Department of Public Health: www.cookcountypublichealth.org Read More | |
H1N1 (swine flu) UpdateOctober 09, 2009
has been diagnosed with a probable case of the H1N1 flu virus... ("swine flu"). Probable means that there is a high likelihood that the student has the H1N1 virus. This student was identified early and has been home since the on-set of symptoms. We have spoken with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). The recommendation of CCDPH is that schools remain open unless there is a significant increase in student absence due to illness. Daily attendance is being closely monitored in all our schools and at this point there has not been an increase in absenteeism. We sincerely hope this letter does not cause alarm. Our intent is to communicate openly with you and avoid any misinterpretation of the facts. We will keep you posted as we receive new information. In addition: For your convenience, we are providing the following information about H1N1 flu as well as these websites you may reference for further information. Department of Education: www.ed.gov Click swine flu information link: www.ed.gov/blog/2009/04/public-health-officials-offer-swine-flu-guidance-to-schools CDC swine influenza website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu www.pandemicflu.gov www.idph.state.il.us/swine_flu Cook County Department of Public Health: www.cookcountypublichealth.org/swine_flu Please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns. Sincerely, Mary B. Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski, R.N. District-Wide School Nurse Read More | |
District and Teachers' Union Approve Five-Year ContractOctober 09, 2009
The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School... Board and the Winnetka Education Association teachers' union ratified a five-year contract agreement, following a six-month negotiation process that began in October 2008. The new contract will take effect September 1, 2009. Under the new agreement, District 36 teachers will receive an average annual raise of 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent in the first and second years of the contract respectively. Adding the ordinary step increase to this amount yields a total average salary increase of 4.3 and 4.1 percent. A key provision of the agreement calls for the Board and the Association to reconvene in 2011 to negotiate teachers' salaries for the remaining three years of the contract. Winnetka residents are feeling the effects of the current economy. We are all making adjustments to our spending based on our families' needs and priorities. As fiscal stewards of the community's public schools, this Board is doing that same thing. We have had to take a hard look at all District expenses, and salaries are no exception. At the same time, we know that our teachers are essential to ensuring a quality education for Winnetka children, and have developed this contract with that in mind. We know that in order to attract and retain quality teachers, we must compensate our teachers with salaries similar to comparable school districts. While these increases do not leave the District in as competitive a position as it has enjoyed in the past, we believe they are enough to allow us to attract and retain those quality teachers. Furthermore, these raises are consistent with the District's budget and long-range fiscal forecast. Because of uncertainties in the current economy and the difficulty of forecasting into even the near future, the Board and Association jointly decided to reconsider the salary schedule in two years. This is in the best interest of all parties as it allows us to adjust salaries to reflect actual economic and market conditions. Other provisions of the new agreement, including disability insurance, sick leave, and retirement, will remain in effect for the entire five-year contract period, which will continue through the 2013-14 school year. Together, we are a strong team. The District 36 School Board and administration look forward to working with the Winnetka Education Association, our staff, students, families, and the entire community to continue to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in our schools. Q. Why is this contract for five years? Aren’t they usually four years? A. We wanted to avoid the conflict of having the contract be negotiated at the same time newly elected Board members are joining as other members retire from the Board. By going to five years this one time there’s no timing constraint involving participants and no conflict with election cycles. We expect future contracts are likely to go back to four-year terms. Q. If the contract ends in August, why did negotiations start so soon? A. There was a significant change in the members of the Board in April. If we had not finished the negotiations by then, we would basically have had to start over again. Since there’s no telling how long negotiations will take, this was the safest plan. Q. Who are the participants? Who negotiated the contract? A. Representatives of the Board of Education, the Winnetka Education Association, and the District Administration all have a role. We use a method called Interest Based Bargaining, which enables everyone to get at the issues in a productive way. We have used it in the past and it has been very successful. Q. What raise are the teachers getting as a result of the contract? A. One of the major new provisions is a salary increase for teachers. In the first year of the contract, 2009-10, teachers will receive a raise of about 0.6%. When you add the step increase, it works out to be an average of 4.33%. In the following year, 2010-11, the teachers will receive a raise of about 0.4%, and the total will be just under 4.1%. For any given teacher, the raise might be more or less, depending on their education and years of experience, but these are the average numbers. Q. What’s a “step increase,” and how is that different from the 0.6% raise? A. Nearly all teachers in all districts are paid using schedules that dictate how much they will be paid. Each teacher falls in a column appropriate to their level of experience, and a row that corresponds to their years of service. Each year a teacher will move down one row on the schedule, and earn the new salary amount. For example, a starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Winnetka will earn approximately $41,500 this year. Next year, he or she will move down one step in the schedule and earn about $43,000. This is called the Step Increase. The amount of increase can vary a little from one step to another, but the average step increase for Winnetka Teachers is 3.7%. In addition, we have agreed to increase every amount on the schedule by 0.6% next year, and 0.4% the year after that. So when you combine that “year-to-year” increase with the step increase, the total increase is 4.33% and 4.1%, respectively. Q. I’ve heard of other districts that are giving 0.5%, 1%, etc. Why is Winnetka so high? A. Unfortunately, many districts are not reporting the whole story. For example, District 128, which includes Libertyville High School, recently reported that teachers under their new contract will earn .37% next year, increasing to 1% the following year, and 1.5% the year after that. What the news media failed to mention is that their teachers are also earning a 3% step increase each year, which makes the total increases about 3.5%, 4% and 4.5% over the next three years. Q. Isn’t any raise excessive, with the economy being what it is? Many people have taken pay cuts, or even lost their jobs. A. In economic times such as these, everyone is reviewing their budget to see what expenditures can be eliminated or reduced. Families are prioritizing their outflow so that basics are maintained by reducing non-essential spending. The Board of Education is currently engaged in the exact same exercise. We feel, however, that cost-cutting must be done with the goals of sustaining the high quality education of our children and retaining quality teachers. The truth is that a number of people are getting raises this year – teachers from other districts. Most teachers are subject to multi-year contracts, with raises built in each year. While we have no intention of trying to match those raises, we cannot ignore them either, or our competitiveness in the market place for quality teachers will suffer. Q. How did the Board and the Association determine how much of a raise would keep Winnetka competitive? A. The main process is to analyze the market cost of teachers. The parties involved looked at the salaries for teachers in twelve neighboring school districts that we felt were comparable to WinnetkA. We then created a range across those districts for each teacher based on education and years of experience. For example, we looked at all the different salaries being paid a teacher with a master’s degree and ten years’ teaching experience, and arranged them from highest to lowest. Finally we looked at where a Winnetka teacher in that category would fall in the range. Q. How does Winnetka compare to other districts under the new contract? A. It varies, but many of our teachers are close to the mean, or average, for comparable teachers in comparable districts. For example, a new Winnetka teacher with a bachelor’s degree is at about the 40th percentile of similar teachers in the other districts we looked at. On the other hand, a teacher with ten years experience and a master’s degree with 15 hours of post-graduate study is only at the 20th percentile compared to his/her counterpoint at other districts. Q. Have our teachers always been paid at the average? A. In fact, in prior years we were actually above the mean, which made us more competitive. But with this economy that isn’t practical. We are no longer as competitive as we were; nevertheless, we feel that we can still attract and retain quality teachers with the new contract. Q. What will the raises be in the last three years of the contract? A. Because of the current economy, and the inability to predict what salaries, the market place, and the economy in general will be three years from now, we decided not to lock in salaries beyond the next two years. The new contract calls for the Board and the Association to convene in two years’ time to determine what salaries should be for the remainder of the contract. This protects everyone from locking in numbers that two years from now might prove to be excessively high or low. Q. What is this salary increase going to cost in total dollars? A. Despite the 4.3% number, when you take into account retiring teachers and the budgeted number of teaching positions for the next two years, we estimate that the total salary dollar cost for 2009-10 will increase less than 2.5% over this year. This is within our budget and the projections of our long-range fiscal planning. Q. How are other districts who negotiated contracts before the economic downturn dealing with it? A. Many districts negotiated contracts with significant raises when the economy was still strong. Now they are trying to figure out how to pay for those contracts. For example, they may be cutting programs or increasing class size. We were fortunate in our timing in that we could see the economy was in a serious downturn, and adjust the raises accordingly. Again, these costs are within our budget and our long-term financial forecasts. We will not be changing class size or cutting programs as a result of this contract. Q. What other benefit provisions are in the contract? A. Disability Insurance: Currently the teachers can acquire disability insurance for up to 31% of their salary through the state. The contract provides for the District to pay for additional disability insurance for each teacher up to 66% of salary. Dental Insurance: The District will pay for half of the cost of individual in-network dental insurance coverage. Sick Leave: Each teacher will now get one additional sick day per year after ten years of service, and two additional sick days per year after twenty years. Retirement: New state legislation has increased the amount of money teachers must pay in order to take advantage of early retirement plans. The District has agreed to split this extra cost with the teachers. New legislation also led the District to allow teachers to get a 6% annual raise (in lieu of any normal raise) when giving up to five years’ retirement notice, in order to ensure full retirement benefits paid by the state. Q. Tax revenues are limited by the tax cap. Are these cost increases in line with the CPI, which helps define what the tax cap will be? A. For the current contract, it is the CPI for 2007 that determines what the tax increase on existing property will be for 2009-10. The CPI for 2007 was 4.1%, which is nearly the same as the raises the contract provides for (4.3%). However, in 2008 the CPI was 0.1%, so District costs are sure to exceed any tax revenue increase in 2010-11. Q. Will this contract mean another referendum? Are taxes going to go up? A. The District is currently engaged in an aggressive cost-reduction analysis to keep costs down to essentials without affecting the learning experience. We do not anticipate that the cost of this contract will accelerate any need for a referendum. Overall property tax increases are still subject to the tax cap and should not increase because of this contract. (Note that individual tax bills may go up or down, depending on the value of the property relative to other property within the taxing area.) Read More | |
New District 36 School Board MemberOctober 09, 2009
Van Barletta Board President June 15, 2009 Read More | |
H1N1 Vaccination Letter 10-8-09October 09, 2009
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended certain groups of people, including pregnant women and children and young people 6 months through 24 years of age, be vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza virus as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Please contact your physician to determine if the H1N1 vaccine is recommended for your child and if so, when your child may receive the vaccination. The New Trier Township School Districts are working with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to establish an immunization site within the township. However, we have been told by the CCDPH that New Trier Township is not among the highest priority areas, and therefore, vaccinations through public schools will not be available until January 2010. If a township site is approved by the Cook County Department of Public Health, this program will offer only one dose of vaccine. At this time, it is expected that in order to be fully immunized, children will need two doses of vaccine, administered four weeks or more apart. It would be parental responsibility to arrange with their physician to administer the second dose of vaccine. Your health care provider is the best source of information regarding your family's personal health needs and influenza vaccinations. We urge you to contact your family physician to discuss immunizing your family for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. Please note that not every physician will have the vaccine at this time. Sincerely, Mary B. Herrmann, Ph.D. Superintendent Jane Zaleski School Nurse Read More | |
2009-2010 CalendarOctober 07, 2009
August 31 - No School (Teachers' Institute Day) - Monday September... 1 - Schools open (Grades 1-8) (Half Day) - Tuesday Please check with individual buildings to confirm Kindergarten and 1st grade Phase-In schedules. September 2 - Schools open (Grades SK-8) (Full Day) - Wednesday September 7 - Labor Day (no school) - Monday September 8 - Junior Kindergarten begins - Tuesday September 28 - No School - Monday October 9 - No School (Institute Day) - Friday October 12 - Columbus Day (no school) - Monday November 5 - Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Conference/Reporting in PM - Thursday NO SCHOOL FOR PM KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY November 6 - Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) - Friday November 25 - 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday (no school) - Wednesday - Friday December 21 - Winter Vacation Begins (no school) - Monday January 4 - Schools Reopen - Monday January 18 - Martin Luther King Day (no school) - Monday February 15 - Presidents' Day (no school) - Monday March 11 - Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) - Thursday March 12 - Conference/Reporting Day (no school Grades K-8) - Friday March 26 - Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Teachers' Inservice in PM - Friday NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY March 29 - Spring Vacation begins - Monday April 5 - Schools Reopen - Monday May 28 - Early Dismissal (Grades 1-8) Report Writing in PM - Friday No school for AM Kindergarten students PM KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND IN AM May 31 - Memorial Day (no school) - Monday June 10 - Anticipated Last Day of School (K-8) - Thursday June 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 To be used in the event of emergency closing *Kindergarten conferences/report writing will also occur on 10/16/09 [Kindergarten in session], 3/26/10-AM [NO school for all Kindergarten students], and 5/28/10-AM [Afternoon Kindergarten students attend in the morning]. Revised 8/3/09 Read More | |
Greeley and Carleton Washburne School dedication ceremonies podcastOctober 07, 2009
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Late Starts Information for ParentsOctober 01, 2009
challenges of winter. Heavy snowfall, icy roads and frigid... temperatures have characterized our winter thus far and promise to be with us for the next couple of months. As you know, with these conditions come the possibility of school closings and changes in our school calendar. Changes in our school calendar can impact summer plans for families, so I want to share with you our school closure decision-making process, as well as introduce a new late start procedure. The decision to close school is done in consultation with local personnel and the other New Trier Township Superintendents. The decision is generally made no later than 5:30 a.m. so that all staff and families have adequate time to make any necessary changes to their daily schedules. The highest priority in considering school closure is student safety. Some of the factors that influence our decision-making include: timing and duration of the storm, temperatures, visibility, facility concerns, and road conditions both locally and in the larger metro area. Our teachers are traveling from all directions and, for some, long distances, and it is essential that they are able to arrive to school on time to greet children in their classrooms. Only under the most hazardous circumstances will we close school. We strive to keep our students in school and follow our school calendar. In order to do so, we all need to work together, taking extra caution in traveling to and from school and ensuring that our students are dressed warmly. At the same time, we recognize that individual families may have varying degrees of comfort regarding the decision to keep schools open. Under these circumstances, parents should always feel empowered to do what they believe is best for their child. In the occasional winter storm, the weather and road conditions are expected to greatly improve by mid-morning. Under these circumstances we would prefer not to close school, but to open late instead. A late start would allow for additional time for our staff and students to get to school. Please note the following procedures for a 2-hour late start in The Winnetka Public Schools: Parents/students will be notified through our emergency message system of a late start. Information will also be included on our website, www.winnetka36.org. Students should plan to arrive at school 2 hours later than they regularly do. For example, if a student typically arrives at school at 8:20 a.m., he/she should plan to arrive at 10:20 a.m. If a student takes the bus and is picked up at 8:05 a.m., he/she should plan to be picked up at 10:05 a.m. Late School Start Times Morning Kindergarten and any before school programs (i.e., band) would be cancelled for the day. Any special program changes or a change in the school lunch schedule will be communicated to parents from the principal. Please contact your building principal if you have questions. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. Read More | |
Student SurveyNovember 30, 1999
Winnetka Student Survey (PDF) Read More |
